Finding the Lost by Butcher Shannon K

Author:Butcher, Shannon K. [Butcher, Shannon K.]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: PENGUIN group
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

Prince Eron stood on the balcony overlooking the city below. Frigid wind whipped his long hair about his head and made his eyes sting. The twin moons were both waning. Tomorrow, the gate to Earth would open and he would go through to find his daughters. It would be summer there, if his calendar was correct—the eighth summer since he’d last seen his girls.

Not even a year had passed on Athanasia since the Synestryn attack on his Earth family. Certainly not long enough for him to stop grieving for Celine. To stop missing her with every breath he drew.

Heavy footsteps sounded behind him on the stone floor.

Eron didn’t even need to turn around to see the look of displeasure on his older brother’s face. He could hear it hanging heavy in his voice. “You’re not going,” said Lucien.

“Yes. I am.”

“It’s not safe. It could kill you.”

Anger welled up inside Eron, but he tried to control it. If he were going to survive the trip through the gate, he needed to remain calm and focused. “Not knowing if my daughters are alive or dead is killing me, too.”

“I’ll find them for you and report back. It’s safer that way.”

“What if they need me?”

Lucien’s broad hand settled on Eron’s shoulder. His voice softened with understanding. “That’s the risk we all took when we decided to walk this path. We knew our children would grow up not knowing us. It’s the price we must pay.”

Eron spun around, knocking his half brother’s hand away. His careful control shattered to splinters, gone beyond repair. “My daughters may be dead. None of our brothers have been able to find any trace of them. I need to go back. I need to know.”

The yellows and golds in Lucien’s eyes stirred, swirling and twisting around his pupils. Compassion stilled his features and he placed his hand on Eron’s chest. “This path has become harder than any of us would have imagined, but we must continue on course.”

“I only want to see my girls. I will not interfere with our plans.”

“You know it is not that simple. You’re still weak from your last trip—from ridding Nika of the sgath poison. You won’t be able to shield your passage, and Father will feel you cross over.”

“I’m strong enough.”

“No. You are not. Not yet. Father will kill you, and then what will happen to your daughters?”

Eron bowed his head over Lucien’s hand. He was right. They had so little time on Earth that none of the others could spare much to take care of his children.

They had their own to care for.

“I can’t do this anymore,” said Eron. “The cost is too great.”

“As it is to all of us, but reports show our predictions were right. The Synestryn are growing more powerful, and there are not enough Sentinels left to hold the gate. We must persevere.”

“So, you’re going back.” It wasn’t a question. Eron knew Lucien was more dedicated than all of them, no matter the personal cost. But then, he had more to lose here than any of them, should their plans fail.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.